Coach Ken Hinkley has put the Power behind only ladder leaders Collingwood in one key statistic in a big boost for their finals hopes, Fox Footy’s David King believes.
Last month, Hinkley’s job was described as “untenable” after a 1-2 start – but Port Adelaide are unbeaten since that criticism and have climbed into the top eight.
King said the Power’s midfield clearance work was now a “considerable asset” as they look to make finals for a sixth time since 2013.
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“They’re not winning as many clearances as last year, but they’ve got leg drivers in there now,” King said on AFL 360.
“They step out, they step out by hand, and they step out via exit and it’s hard to curtail.
“When you exit by hand, you become damaging very quickly.
“They become really proactive and really aggressive really quickly.”
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Statistics show the Power are currently ranked the best in the competition for midfield stoppage exits by hand – up from sixth last year.
They are also ranked second for metres gained from clearance, behind only Collingwood.
“Behind only Collingwood, this is a considerable asset that we are not really recognising yet,” King said.
“(Jason) Horne-Francis, (Connor) Rozee, (Zak) Butters, (Sam) Powell-Pepper and even (Jeremy) Finlayson does a bit of it.
“They’ve got wildcards in there.
“Ken’s using them really well. He’s almost coaching like a caretaker coach and I think ‘Caretaker Ken’ is the most damaging version of Ken.”
AFL 360 co-host Mark Robinson praised the Power’s ability to “overhaul” their midfield “in the space of 18 months”.
While the Port midfield was winning praise, King said there was one defender he believed to be the most important on Port Adelaide’s roster.
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“Their defence is really strong at the moment – second best in the competition,” he said.
“They tend to hold a deep defender as often as they can.
“If you go up into an area they don’t think you’re going to be used, it’s usually Aliir Aliir or (Trent) McKenzie that will drop off … and they just get to the line of footy first.
“It’s simple and it’s really basic but it’s effective.
“It’s why I think Aliir Aliir is their most important player.
“You can lose a midfielder, you maybe lose a spark forward, but they can’t lose Aliir Aliir. For me, everything goes around this guy.”
Statistics show Aliir Aliir is ranked second in the AFL for most intercept marks in defensive 50, behind only Brisbane’s Jack Payne.
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“His ability to intercept mark is significant,” King said.
“Only St Kilda have taken more contested marks in the defensive 50 winning the ball back than Port Adelaide.
“I think this is a real strength – (Aliir’s) the one for me.
“The way they play this guy, he’s almost like a Jeremy McGovern the impact he’s having on the competition.”
Port Adelaide will take on Essendon this weekend, after the Bombers slipped out of the top eight for the first time this season.
